The fourth energy transition

Experts believe that in the next years, the world energy system will suffer global changes.

The popularity of the use of renewable energy sources (RES) may become the fourth energy transition. Scientists today refer the active phase of the energy transition to the years 2030–2035.

By the way, the term “energy transition” was proposed by scientist Vaclav Smil. That was the term for: “changes in the structure of primary energy consumption and the gradual transition from the existing energy supply scheme to a new state of the energy system”.

But what other three transitions are we talking about?
The first energy transition was from biomass to coal.

The second energy transition is associated with the spread of oil.

The third led to the widespread use of natural gas.

And now we are on the edge of the fourth energy transition. In the last decade, wind power plants have been actively built, solar panels, electric power accumulators and others have been installed. The share of RES is growing rapidly.
At the stage of the fourth energy transition it becomes important for countries not only the economic attractiveness of new energy sources, but also the fight against global climate change. Traditional energy continues to dominate, but the transition is inevitable.